Prostate cancer mortality is strongly related to age, with the highest mortality rates being in older males. In the UK in 2012-2014, on average each year almost 6 in 10 (57%) deaths were in males aged 80 and over.[1-3]

Age-specific mortality rates rise sharply from around age 55-59, with the highest rates in the 90+ age group.[1-3]

Prostate Cancer (C61) Average Number of Deaths per Year and Age-Specific Mortality Rates, Males, UK, 2012-2014

Prostate cancer mortality rates remained stable overall for most of the broad adult age groups in the UK since the early 1970s, but have decreased in males aged 70-79.[1-3] A large increase has been seen in males aged 80+, with rates increasing by 47% between 1971-1973 and 2012-2014.

About this data

Projections are based on observed incidence and mortality rates and therefore implicitly include changes in cancer risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. It is not possible to assess the statistical significance of changes between 2014 (observed) and 2035 (projected) figures. Confidence intervals are not calculated for the projected figures. Projections are by their nature uncertain because unexpected events in future could change the trend. It is not sensible to calculate a boundary of uncertainty around these already uncertain point estimates. Changes are described as 'increase' or 'decrease' if there is any difference between the point estimates.

There is no evidence for an association between prostate cancer mortality and deprivation in England.[1] England-wide data for 2007-2011 show European age-standardised mortality rates are similar for males living in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived.[1]

References

About this data

Data is for: UK, 2007-2011, ICD-10 C61

Deprivation gradient statistics were calculated using mortality data for 2007-2011. The deprivation quintiles were calculated using the Income domain scores from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) from the following years: 2004, 2007 and 2010. Full details on the data and methodology can be found in the Cancer by Deprivation in England NCIN report.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cause of cancer in Europe for males, and the 6th most common cause of cancer death overall, with around 92,300 deaths from prostate cancer in 2012 (9% of male deaths and 5% of the total). In Europe (2012), the highest World age-standardised mortality rates for prostate cancer are in Lithuania; the lowest rates are in Malta. UK prostate cancer mortality rates are estimated to be the 15th highest in Europe.[1] These data are broadly in line with Europe-specific data available elsewhere.[2]

Prostate cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death worldwide for males, and the 8th most common cause of cancer death overall, with more than 307,000 deaths from prostate cancer in 2012 (7% of male deaths and 4% of the total). Prostate cancer mortality rates are highest in the Caribbean and lowest in South Central Asia, but this partly reflects varying data quality worldwide.[1]

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